Regional

8:02 am

Tue November 20, 2012

Sen. Udall To Present Five Medals To Veteran

It's been more than six decades, but New Mexico veteran Wilson Halona is finally being recognized for his service during World War II.

Halona, a native of Tohatchi, is set to receive five military medals from U.S. Sen. Tom Udall during a ceremony at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque on Tuesday.

The senator's office says Halona's battalion defeated German bunkers at Utah Beach in 1944 and guarded Adolf Hitler's top generals in Stuttgart. Halona personally guarded one of the highest-ranking generals before returning to Nuremberg to celebrate the end of the war.

Halona's family contacted Udall's office in October to verify his medal eligibility.

The medals to be presented include the Good Conduct Medal, the Silver Service Star and the World War II Victory Medal.